The 23rd Sabine Hall of Fame Banquet, hosted at St. Joseph’s Catholic Hall in Zwolle on Tuesday evening ,April 26, proved to be one the nicest events of the past several years.
Black floor-length tablecloths with table decorations of lanterns, candles and an array of greenery, turned the Hall into a beautiful and breathtaking venue. Board member Lauren Moore coordinated the decorations with items from her business, Nichols and the help of talented employees.
The highlight of the evening was the induction of Edith Jones Palmer as the 23rd inductee into the prestigious Sabine Hall of Fame. She was joined at the head table by grandchildren, and dear friends.
Mrs. Palmer was introduced by Mrs. Moore prior to a video detailing her life achievements. Murdock Productions of Alexandria created the video, which included all honored, at the direction of Sabine Hall of Fame charter member Nell Britner. Early in the evening, Chairman Pete Abington presented Mrs. Britner with a bouquet of red roses for her efforts.
Everyone from elected officials to state employees, Tamale Fiesta dignitaries and parish officials were on hand for the event.
The doors opened at 6 p.m. and shortly thereafter employees of Patrick’s Southern Quality Events began serving the delicious dinner of brisket with all the trimmings.
Sponsoring this year’s banquet were $1,000 donors, including Curtis Family Pharmacy, Nichols, Interstate Building Materials, Sabine Retirement and Rehabilitation and Walsh Timber Co. LLC.
Throughout the evening, Master of Ceremonies Robert Gentry, a former inductee, thanked the sponsors and others who were vital to the success of the banquet, as follows: Dewey Eaves, Sound and technical Advice; Murdock Productions, Video Presentation; David Maroski, Photographer; Boy Scouts of America, Troop 80; Laurie Gentry Designs; St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Zwolle, Venue; Patrick’s Southern Quality Events; and Nichols.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, who strummed his guitar and shared an original song; and Henry Reggans and William Ruffin, who received a standing ovation on his solo, Mansions.
Following the dinner, the two Posthumous Awards were presented by Sabine Hall of Fame board member Martha Henderson to the families of Dr. Warren L. Founds Jr. and “Coach” Malvin Ogden.
The family of Dr. Founds was out in force, with several tables full of children, grandchildren and spouses. Son, Peter accepted the plaque and thanked the Board for remembering their father. Becoming a doctor at age 40, he worked at his practice, trained students at LSU Hospital in Shreveport, and worked at the local hospital until a few years before his death at 97-years-old. He died at his lake home in 2017.
Accepting the Posthumous Award for “Coach” Ogden was his widow, Jennie Anna Ogden. She gave a sincere thanks to the Board for remembering her husband, who taught school, coached football and ran his own pool business, while still working in Calvary Baptist Church and with the youth during the summers. He was a kind, hard-working man, who loved his family to include four daughters and three sons and especially his grandchildren. He died in the summer of 2018 after beating heart problems and cancer earlier in his life.
The Good Citizen Award was presented to Francis Faust Hopkins by Board member Mary Perry, much to the delight of two tables of dear friends from Friendship Church of the Nazarene, who surprised her with their attendance.
Associated with Sabine Medical Center (and previous hospital owners) Mrs. Hopkins attended college for two years before returning to Many, marrying and raising a family of three children—Scott, Ginger and Clay. Her name is synonymous with loyalty to her job, numerous organizations, church work and her musical talent. Married to the late Rodney Hopkins, she helped found the ArkLaTex Music Show and performed regularly. She is always busy and loves to travel in her spare time.
She responded with a quick thank you and “I love ya’ll” when presented with her engraved plaque.
The Special Recognition Awards were presented by Board members Joe Salter and Laurie Gentry.
Salter made the presentation to Dale Skinner, a well-known educator and basketball coach, who had won several state championships with his teams. He has been named to the La. High School Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. As an educator, Skinner served as a teacher, coach, principal in Sabine Parish and Superintendent of Natchitoches Parish School for six years before retiring.
A native of Belmont, he received his B.S. degree in Physical Education and Social Studies. he also earned his Master’s Degree and Plus-30 from Northwestern State University.
The second Special Recognition Award, presented by Laurie Gentry, was to another Belmont native, who brought “live theatre” back to the stage in Many and influenced many local thespians onto the stage.
Mary Bozeman has graced stages in New York City and shared her acting talents with thousands. She is best known for her one-woman play, “Sim”, which was written by her husband, Bill Osbourn.
When the couple moved back to Sabine Parish, they founded The Sabine Parish Players, who presented comedies, tragedies and dramas on the stages of Hodges Gardens, the Fisher Opera House and the Many Community Center for over 20 years. For 20 years, the couple annually directed “A Christmas Carol” each Christmas season. She made a difference for many over the years with her introduction of acting to young and old alike.
Accepting the plaque on behalf of Bozeman was one of her favorite thespians, Dean Crittenden.
Featured in the next video was the lives of Savannah and Siarch Hall, the adopted young ladies of Marion and Shannon Hall. Raised in a dismal atmosphere, the girls were adopted by a local couple and given a family life. Today they are in college and have a variety of activities from piloting small planes to deep sea diving, forming a clothing company and their great interest in working to pass a bill through the La. Legislature requesting that judges follow juvenile cases. The legislation came after their 13-year-old brother, Solan, died in Ware Detention Center after taking his life. The law was passed and named Solan’s Law. The sisters continue to work on other changes in juvenile justice.
On behalf of the honorees, Donna Ammons, a Board member, thanked the Board for the Accomplishment Award recognition. The young ladies were on a trip and unable to attend.
The Achievement Award was presented to Otto O’Neil Meyers III by Board member William Ruffin. Meyers responded with excitement and sincere thanks, as he recalled his childhood in Zwolle, his basketball days with the Zwolle Hawks and playing at Grambling State University for the Tigers. Meyers carved out a successful career in the oil and gas industry with Shell Oil in Houston, from 1991-2013, and working as a Research Chemist at Dow Chemicals in Michigan. He is also an attorney.
In accepting the Achievement Award, Meyers stated, “I am excited to be recognized by the Sabine Hall of Fame and the people I grew up with.”
Continuing he added, “I am truly humbled by receiving this honor. I have received many awards over the years but this one is extra special because I have been recognized by my friends, neighbors and family.”
Meyers has led a service-minded lifestyle and he noted that many people have nurtured and invested in him. He named Samuel Beasley, Charles Foster, Mr. Cross, Mr. McFarland and Coach William Ruffin. He also paid tribute to his father, Otto O. Meyers Jr., his mother, Evonne, and his ZHS classmates.
“People saw the best in me and encouraged me and I am doing the same by bringing out the best through youth programs that I work with” he added.
To end the evenings program was a salute to the 23rd Inductee to the Sabine Hall of Fame—Edith Jones Palmer. She was introduced by Lauren Moore, a Board member.
Mrs. Palmer congratulated all of the other honorees, and described her presenter as “an exceptional, sweet and smart young woman” before beginning her acceptance speech.
She recapped the many functions she has been involved with over the years, including her church, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce, the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, Tamale Fiesta Board, former First Lady of the Fiesta, a Board member of Sabine State Bank for 35 years, and many more.
Over the years, she has amassed many honors and showed true leadership and the ability to serve with “quiet dignity and trusted wisdom” on a variety of committees, councils and organizations.
S h e reminisced about her childhood, along with summertime adventures with friends, falling in love with her late husband, Bill Palmer, his service in the Navy and later his untimely death; how she and Lorene Brandon Jones in the Palmer-Jones Timber business office and through many good times.
She also reminisced about her children, Scott and Melissa, dear friends, her mentors, Rogers Loupe and Monsignor Provenza; her second husband, Bob Cole and the memories they made prior to his death; , friends Conrad and Judy Cathey, her circle of close friends—Judy, Linda Curtis-Sparks and Bonnie Fox; and Jim Cole and Laura for their support.
She also thanked Gary Walsh for his support with the business, following the death of her husband at age 49. Walsh eventually purchased the business and built it into Walsh Timber Co. LLC.
In closing she added, “There is no place like Sabine Parish and Toledo Band Lake. This is where I wanted to spend my life.”
Needless to say, Edith Palmer has made a difference in the growth of Sabine Parish.
Numerous citations were presented to Mrs. Palmewr by Gentry and Salter, to include: Governor’s Citation by John Bel Edwards; American Flag sent by U.S. Senator John Kennedy and a proclamation from Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, to name a few.
Miss Tamale Fiesta Queen Canada Sepulvado also presented Mrs. Palmer with a bouquet of flowers.
Following a standing ovation, Mrs. Palmer was invited to help Mrs. Moore unveil the bronze plaque of her likeness, which will hang in the foyer of the Sabine Parish Courthouse.
To end the night’s events, Board member Robert Gentry presented Betsy Godfrey of Sabine Pink Ladies with a $600 check from the Sabine Hall of Fame. The charitable donation will be used to support parish women suffering from breast cancer.
The benediction was given by John Lincoln Brumfield following a song written by Abington and sung by the Sabine Hall of Fame’s Pitiful Choir.
Over 170 tickets were sold for the banquet.